This is your time to read all those picture books that you haven't had time for, network with colleagues to find out how they're using picture books in their programming and find out about creating or improving your library's sensory programming.

This is your time to read all those picture books that you haven't had time for, network with colleagues to find out how they're using picture books in their programming and enjoy our special program on sensory programming.

Program:Sensory programming allows you to create a welcoming environment for families with children who have special needs. ‘Special needs’ is an all-encompassing term which includes for example, the autism spectrum, and physical disabilities. Tricia Twarogowski will share how to create the setting, format and content of programming that will appeal to the children and their families.

Speaker Biography: Tricia TwarogowskiIn developing programs for the Matthews Branch Library of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library (NC) in 2008, Tricia Twarogowski, as Children’s Supervisor, realized there was a lack of programming that met the needs of young children with autism and other disabilities. She worked with the Autism Society of North Carolina to develop appropriate activities for this audience. As a result of this collaboration, Rhythm and Rhyme Story Time was created using visuals, songs, movement, and tactile objects. Ms. Twarogowski led this well-received program monthly at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library for two years and was given the Autism Society of North Carolina’s “Autism Professional of the Year” award for her efforts in April 2010. During this time, she also authored a 5-part blog series for ALSC entitled “ Special Needs Programming Series” and participated in a related training video created by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library She subsequently worked at Cuyahoga County Public Library (OH) as Youth Services Supervisor at Maple Heights Branch, where she provided both Sensory Storytime and initiated Sensory School-Age programs beginning in January 2012. Ms. Twarogowski has assisted several other library systems in developing similar programs through visits to libraries and consortiia in VA, NC, OH, NJ, NY & PA. She has presented at the 2009 LAUNC-CH Research Forum at UNC Chapel Hill , the 2010 NC Summer Reading Workshop, American Library Association 2011 National Conference both as a member of the ALSC President’s Panel and in a session entitled--Sensory Storytime: Preschool Programming that Makes Sense for Kids with Autism with colleague Barbara Klipper as well as 2012 Public Library Association conference with Meg Kolaya and Dan Weiss of “Autism and Libraries: We’re Connected” (www.librariesandautism.org). Ms. Twarogowski is currently the Branch Manager at the Northwest Akron Branch of Akron-Summit County Public Library. She is piloting sensory programs at her location in collaboration with the Autism Society of Greater Akron. They have recently been awarded a grant from the Akron Community Foundation’s Millennium Fund for Children to support these programming efforts. She welcomes questions about programming by email, ttwarogowski@akronlibrary.org or phone 330-643-4702.